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Armenia’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has proposed reducing working hours from eight to seven hours per day, which would not affect current salaries.

Experts have warned that the reduction would have adverse consequences for the economy, employers and the state budget. Likewise, most of the people surveyed by Panorama.am have expressed disapproval of the proposal.

"Public holidays have been reduced... I don't understand the purpose of this change. In Europe, the standard working hours are already 7, but what’s the reason for cutting working hours in our backward country?" a respondent said.

"Our country only needs peace and a competent leader. We don't need anything else, we'll work day and night, just to live as we did in the old Armenia," another woman commented.

"All the initiatives by the current government are detrimental to the people. The people should work, rather than stay home and listen to speeches of the ruling party members," a third remarked.

A woman suspects that the change is driven by a particular motive. "I think it will have consequences. I've lost faith in everything."

Some of the respondents welcome the idea, but remain skeptical about whether this change will be enforced in Armenia.

"As a worker, I would be delighted, but I don't believe it will come to fruition," a young man said.

"It would be good for employees with young children," another respondent added.